I came across this saying from another rescue group, one that helps find foster homes and permanent homes for dogs in rural areas, coming from high-kill shelters …

“When you adopt a rescue pet, you help save TWO lives: the one you bring home and the one that takes its place.”

Sharing a bed ... Leo (l), Jody (r)

There’s always a period of adjustment for the foster placed in a new home. However, with consistency, patience and a set routine, it isn’t long before the “new dog” (literally and figuratively) just shines.

Our latest foster, Leo, is no exception. The first couple days in his new home were a little rocky for all involved. Jody, f/k/a Jasper and previously adopted from our group, definitely wasn’t happy with the prospect of a new roomie (not entirely unexpected). Leo wasn’t sure what was going on. Joan and Rich were left scrambling to come up with ways to integrate the two that didn’t include Jody growling (we have links and articles just for this scenario). Days three and four saw “the boys” almost joined at the hip. While they weren’t playing together, they were following each other around the house. If one moved, so did the other and vice versa. Yesterday I got word that Jody and Leo were, indeed, playing together and racing through the house. Given what I knew of the two dogs, I didn’t think it would take too long before the canine bond was established between these two.

Joan, Leo & Rich

Here’s to Leo’s new life with Joan, Rich and Jody! Many thanks to Debra and Mark of Berthoud for fostering this boy.

Leo isn’t the only winner with this adoption. Rich and Joan have volunteered to help out in their area once they get moved and settled into the Canon City area. Likewise, Tootsie’s new family — Jane and Jerry — have also stepped up in southern Wyoming for transports, pulls and home visits. “Local” is a relative term out here in the west and can mean 30 minutes to three hours for driving time. Having volunteers along the Front Range means rescue can be more effective. Our sincere thanks to Leo and Tootsie’s families for their involvement … welcome to rescue!

Long a native of the Tibetan Plateau — some say thousands of years — the Apso is a relative newcomer to the Western Hemisphere. The first Apsos arrived in the United States in 1933, a gift to C. Suydam and Helen Cutting of Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, New Jersey from the 13th Dalai Lama,Thubten Gyatso. As part of the Newark Museum’s “Centennial Celebration of the Tibet Collection,” Nancy Plunkett of Tabu Lhasa Apsos was recently invited to the to speak on the history of the Lhasa Apso with special emphasis on the Cuttings’ contribution to the breed through Hamilton Farm. C. Suydam Cutting of Hamilton Farm provided many of the artifacts to the museum’s extensive “Tibet Collection;” Helen Cutting was a trustee of the museum until her death in 1961. Today’s offering explores early breed history and its foundation under the “Hamilton” prefix. [“Prefix” denotes a specific line of dogs bred under a certain kennel name.]

Clicking on the graphic below will take you to a .pdf file of the Newark Museum presentation which can be navigated by clicking on your computer’s right arrow button (>). If you do not have a .pdf viewer, one can be downloaded (free) at this link … Adobe Reader.

Our thanks to Nancy for sharing this rich and visually beautiful presentation. Her historical research punctuated by the detailed photos and artwork captures the heart and soul of the breed. Only by appreciating the past can we carry the breed forward into the future …

Today we have an update on Kalsang (now known as “Biscuit”) from his owner, Mary. Picked up as a stray by the Larimer Humane Society, we were called in when it became obvious the boy needed a major dose of TLC.

“It’s hard to describe the bond between Biscuit and me….we are so in tune with each other. He is the most perfect dog and we couldn’t have a better life. I still think it was a miracle finding him sitting at that booth, after falling in love with him on the internet, thinking he was probably already adopted. I had never been over to the animal house and certainly didn’t know you would be there. It was divine providence and we needed each other so much.

He is spoiled rotten but is still very much the little gentleman. He is doing well physically, thinks he’s a pup, albeit a couch-potato pup, and it’s comical how we communicate. I talk to him like I would anybody and he knows just what I’m telling him. He cocks his head and stares at me and he listens and he just knows. That took a while and I love it! We seniors get along just fine! He is always close to me, even comes down to the basement when I practice clarinet. That’s true love!

I have seen the recent pictures of dogs you have placed in homes and God bless you for your work. These dogs have so much affection and companionship to share and it’s your work and dedication that saves them. Hope you are keeping cool in this humid weather. We are doing as little as possible. Try it, it works. Love and best wishes, Mary”

What a delight to hear that he’s doing so well. And I’m sure he believes Mary set the moon and stars just for him! Given his condition when he arrived at the shelter, it was obvious he had long been neglected. Golden years for the golden boy.

Biscuit is, no doubt, having a better summer than our household. Still in the midst of the home update, I’ve decided that as long as I have: a shower, a toilet, and some place to wash my clothes, everything else is just white noise. Seriously. As with most major home projects, we’ve had some unexpected issues crop up. Like a leak in the pipes underneath the sink and going down an exterior wall. Which means we’re without water in the kitchen or a dishwasher until it’s repaired … sometime next week. In any event, I’m keeping my sights set on Labor Day to be moved back in. Or at least moving back in.

The dogs have been troopers throughout the whole ordeal … watching the furniture disappear … seeing all the carpet in the house walk out the door … moving into the unfinished basement … moving into the brother-in-law’s house for eight days while the floors were being sanded/sealed … moving back in. With still no furniture on the main floor. Given that both Frankers and Dante are crate trained, they settle in wherever we happen to land, finding “normal” in the familiar. Having a crate handy — and a dog that willing goes into his crate — is also a boon when it comes to the various workmen traipsing throughout the house. Keeps the dogs calm (read that “quiet”) and out of the way … definitely appreciated by all involved!

One of the joys of living in Colorado is the diversity of wildlife, be it on a mountain or in town. Just never know what’s going to turn up. Even birdwatching, we’ll find a surprise in a flash of yellow, blue or orange. I just watched a Western Tanager visit our fountain, a bright spot on an overcast evening. Last week, it was a yellow parakeet that caught my eye. And I’m hoping that someone caught the ‘keet so it could be returned home.

Tootsie had the good fortune to find her forever home in late June. Jane and Jerry from Cheyenne made a special trip down to meet Tootsie at our rescue booth at the Fort Collins Fire Hydrant 5k … it was love at first sight!! Ten days later, she was on her way to Cheyenne. I have no doubt that Tootsie is loving her new home and being a part of a family. Whether she’s ever had that in the past, we’ll never know … but it is certainly her life now. She’s settled in and is doing quite well … and probably getting a bit spoiled, if the truth be known lol.

You’ll note the background in the photo is a change up from our usual “family photos.” That’s because our house is down for the count for the time being. We’re in the midst of a home update which included taking out all the carpet and putting in hardwood throughout the house. Between the carpet’s age, all the dogs, and the pukin’ cat, it was either replace it or go to hard surface. We chose hard surface and haven’t looked back … most likely because there isn’t anything to look back on. To get to hardwood, we had to completely move everything off the main floor. With the exception of what’s in the kitchen cabinets, literally everything is either in a box in the basement or sitting in the garage, covered with a sheet. Even my “kitchen” is in the garage, making cooking a real challenge as it’s either microwave, grill or crockpot. Today, all the sinks in the house come out as the new counters will be installed on Monday. Alan keeps reminding me I should be thankful we at least have one functioning sink … in the garage. :::sigh::: Obviously, his morning routine to get ready for work doesn’t include a sink being handy!

… to be a dog in Colorado! That was the theme for our rescue booth at the Larimer Humane Society’s Fire Hydrant 5k in Fort Collins on June 11th. We had a beautiful Colorado day for the event — bright blue skies and light breeze. Our fosters, Tootsie and Leo, were in attendance putting their best paw forward.

Our thanks to the foster families who brought them up for the day! Deb and Elle brought Leo and then participated in the 5k which is a fund-raiser for the Larimer Humane Society. Kay and Dave were in attendance with Tootsie.

As it turns out, Tootsie met her soon-to-be family at this event … Jane and Jerry who made a special trip down from Cheyenne, WY just to meet Tootsie. We’ll be posting more on that later!

I received a special treat for the day … Jaime who came up from Denver just so we could visit with her and Mae-Mae! She’s done well in her new home and is, how shall we say … just a tad bit spoiled lol. Some more photos from the day …

Leo is a 3-year old neutered male who would do best in a home where he had no exposure to small children or grandchildren — older teenagers would be fine. He is current on vaccinations, tested negative for heartworms, is on a HW preventative, had a rear dewclaw removed, and a microchip implanted. Leo gets along with dogs and cats alike. His ideal home would be where he had a canine friend that likes to play. Leo is also crate trained and house trained.

Once again, we’re signed up to have a rescue booth at the Larimer Humane Society’s Fire Hydrant 5k in Fort Collins on Saturday, June 6th in Edora Park. More information can be found below ….

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Fire Hydrant 5 Event Information

Join us for the 21st annual Fire Hydrant 5, the county’s largest family- and canine-friendly 5K pledge walk/run of the season.

Prior to and following the walk/run, join in the fun of the Pet Expo featuring over 40 pet- and family-friendly booths, Fido photos, paw painting, and more!

Fire Hydrant 5 is looking to be bigger and better than ever this year! New this year is Paul and Kama’s Dog Show Mix-Up! Enter your dog in a host of fun contests – both silly and serious – from best pet/person look-a-like, best pet trick, best doggie kiss, best singing duo and more!

Register as an individual or form a team! Your participation and the additional money you raise through pledges will help us care for the nearly 12,000 animals that come to Larimer Humane Society each year.

Event Day Schedule

The 21st Annual Fire Hydrant 5 will be held Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Edora Park in Fort Colllins.

7:30-8:15 am

Event-day Registration Open

8:00 am-Noon

Pet Expo

8:30 am

5K Run start, walkers to proceed behind antique fire truck following run start

The first 500 participants will receive a Fire Hydrant 5 goodie bag, and the first 700 participants are guaranteed an event t-shirt.

Team-Up!Gather your friends, family and co-workers! Special team pricing of $20/person is available for groups of six or more. Teams do not have to stay together on the course—walker/runner combos are welcome! Teams may register online or via the event brochure. If you are a team captain, you may invite team members through your online team website, or feel free to download the shortened registration form for hand-out to potential team members. All team members must complete a registration form. For more information about team registration, email our development team today.

Cat NapAre you unable to participate on event day? Register to Cat Nap! Cat Nappers may register online or using the downloadable event brochure, and will enjoy all the benefits of an event-day participant including the ability to raise pledges and form and/or join an event team. Cat nappers will also receive the commemorative 21st Annual Fire Hydrant 5 t-shirt for their support!

Can I Bring My Dog?

Yes! Dogs are welcome at the event, but not required! Come alone or walk/run with your dog. All dogs participating in the walk/run must abide by the following guidelines:

They must be leashed at all times

They must be current on all required vaccinations and licensing

Please use a 6-foot or shorter, non-retractable leash

Poop bags will be available; please make sure to pick up after your dog

Aggressive dogs are kindly asked to stay at home

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Look for the prayer flags on our canopy!! We’ll have our two fosters, Tootsie and Leo, in attendance and … just maybe … they’ll have the same success as Jackson did in 2009. He found his new family at this event!